Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Women

Narrative

In 2009, nearly 300,000 U.S. women (0.24 percent) identified themselves as Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, either alone or combined with one or more other races.1 The Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population includes a diversity of cultures among people native to Hawai’i, Samoa, Guam, Tonga, Fiji or other Pacific Islands. Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islanders live throughout the United States, with the largest concentrations in Hawai’i, Alaska, Utah, Nevada, California, Oregon, and Washington.2Although this small population has often been grouped with Asians, masking significant health disparities, more specific data is emerging as a consequence of a federal directive to separate these groups.3

In 2007–2009, non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander women were more likely than non-Hispanic White women to report their health as fair or poor (20.7 versus 13.0 percent, respectively) and to report having been diagnosed with diabetes (11.9 versus 6.4 percent, respectively). Some studies have also shown higher rates of cardiovascular disease and related risk factors among Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islanders.4 Non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander women have the highest rates of reported binge drinking and illicit drug use (27.7 and 17.6 percent, respectively; see Alcohol Use and Illicit Drug Use) and have an HIV diagnosis rate that is 5.5 times higher than non-Hispanic White women (see HIV/AIDS).

Cancer is another condition that disproportionately affects Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander women.5 In 2000–2005, Native Hawaiian women living in Hawaii had higher cancer incidence and mortality rates than their White counterparts both overall and for breast, lung, endometrial, pancreatic, stomach, cervical, and liver cancer. Samoan and Tongan women have also been shown to have high cancer incidence rates.5

As indigenous populations, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islanders have endured a similar history of disenfranchisement to American Indian/Alaska Natives and share several health issues like substance abuse, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. The Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act established Papa Ola Lokahi, an advocacy organization, as well as a health care system and scholarships to address the health needs of Native Hawaiians through culturally appropriate outreach, education, and health care.6

Information on this page can be found in the print version of Women's Health USA 2011. Suggested Citation: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau. Women's Health USA 2011. Rockville, Maryland: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2011.